Nigeria and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening collaboration on sustainable development, democratic governance, regional integration, women’s leadership and youth empowerment across Africa.
This was the outcome of a meeting between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and the UNDP Regional Director for Africa and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, held on Monday, June 29, 2026.
During the meeting, the minister congratulated Eziakonwa on her appointment as a United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, describing the elevation as a significant achievement for Nigeria and the African continent. She commended the UN official’s contributions to international development and reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its longstanding partnership with the United Nations in advancing sustainable development, democratic governance and regional prosperity.
Both sides reviewed the longstanding cooperation between Nigeria and the UN, with discussions focusing on democratic governance, sustainable development, peacebuilding and regional integration. They also examined the implementation of Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities under the Federal Government’s 4-Ds framework of Development, Democracy, Demography and Diaspora.
Eziakonwa briefed the minister on the outcome of the recently concluded regional dialogue on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which Nigeria hosted in partnership with the UNDP.
She commended Nigeria’s leadership in promoting regional economic integration, noting that the country’s active participation remains critical to the success of the continental trade agreement. She also acknowledged Nigeria’s increasing influence in shaping Africa’s development agenda.
According to Eziakonwa, the UNDP remains committed to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to drive inclusive economic growth, entrepreneurship, innovation and policies aimed at strengthening regional value chains and expanding intra-African trade.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of advancing women’s leadership and youth empowerment as key pillars for achieving sustainable development and inclusive growth across the continent, with both parties reaffirming their resolve to continue working together in support of Africa’s long-term development objectives.
